Tamala

A contemporary dimension to the West-African tradition

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The band Tamala (“travelers”), like its name, explores the infinite possibilities of the encounter between the musical backgrounds of the trio. Guided by a natural musical alchemy, the musicians of Tamala swing easily between tradition and innovation, strength and subtlety, dream and reality, north and south.

Over and above their mutual musical understanding, these musicians also share a set of values that they have agreed to defend thanks to their music. They support a school in Senegal, hence their nickname “the ambassadors of Ceppe”.

Mola Sylla sings with a power that stems from the heart. The timbre of his gravelly voice makes him one of the most creative Senegalese singers, as witness his long collaboration with the Dutch celliste Ernst Reijsiger, with whom he composed the soundtrack of Werner Herzog’s film The Blue Yonder. Mola Sylla also plays the xalam (West African lute)), kongoma and kalimba (thumbed pianos), as well as percussion. Bao Sissoko is acknowledged throughout Europe as a talented kora-player. A true master of this West African harp, he has not only played alongside the famous Baaba Maal but is also known for his collaboration with Malick Pathé Sow. The Belgian folk violinist Wouter Vandenabeele can still surprise us with his collaborations, each one more daring than the last. After collaborating with the Syrian oud-player Elias Bachoura and taking part in the world-folk big band Olla Vogala, Wouter is now putting his energy into this trio.

The three musicians had already worked together a few years ago on the albums “The music of Issa Sow” and Mami Kanouté’s “Mousso Lou”, but it’s as a trio that the magic of their music becomes truly apparent. Sincerity and serenity flow from each note, like an invitation to let oneself be carried away at the whim of the melodies. The complicity between the violin, the kora and the singing is intoxicating, the dialogue is sustained, and sheer pleasure in playing shines out at every instant. A pleasure that one can’t help sharing.

Mola Sylla is a Senegalese singer and multiinstrumentist living in Amsterdam. His powerful and deep voice has led him to many collaborations, for example with Omar Sosa or in his jazz project with Ernst Reijseger and Harmen Fraanje. Mola enjoys exploring all dimensions of music and participated in several musical encounter projects with eclectic genres. He is a founding member of Senemali and VeDaKi (a quartet of Senegalese, Russian and Indian music).

Bao Sissoko (kora, Sénégal)

The excellent jeli musician Bao Sissoko is first and foremost known for his refined and virtuoso kora playing. He collaborated with Malick Pathe Sow on the album Aduna (released at Muziekpublique in 2012), with Baaba Maal, Abu Thiam, Mamy Kanoute, Zap Mama, Vaya Con Dios.

Wouter Vandenabeele (violin, Belgium)

Violinist living in Ghent, Wouter Vandenabeele likes to explore various musics. His other current projects are Ghent Folk Violin Project, Hijaz & Strings, Exodus, The City Song. He played concerts alongside Senegalese traditional violinist Issa Sow. He directed the prestigious “Hadzidakis” project for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games (with, among others, the “Madredeus” singers). He recorded about twenty CD’s and gave several hundred performances with “Ambrozijn”, “Olla Vogala” (his world music orchestra) and other projects including “Bared Ataï” with which he played in Morocco and Belgium; “Zuiderwind” (EMI) in collaboration with South African musicians (concerts in Belgium and South Africa). He also worked with Steve Houben, Erik Vermeulen, Savina Yanatou, Philippe Thuriot, “Ex Tempore”.

Blogfoolk (IT)

22/02/2019

Alessio Surian

“[Tamala played] in front of a theater completely carried away by the narrative intensity of the three musicians. The trio favors its own original compositions and moments that enhance the wide expressive range of Mola Sylla’s voice and the instrumental interweaving between kora and violin”

***** “An audible bond and mutual respect marinated into every little nuance and note. Each time I have given this disc a spin, I break out into a spontaneous smile. It’s infectious and the only cure might be to listen some more ! […] These organic instruments, the stripped down and simplistic nature of this recording, the trio’s natural exuberance and that ethereal/passionate voice blends together to create a gorgeous ambience.”

***** “(trad) The virtuoso trio has much to offer on the album for all sorts of traditions, but emphatically searches for its own language. The combination between violin, kora and various exotic instruments takes the listener to this stunningly beautiful album, though it is primarily the underlying message of respect for human and nature that is central to this. “